Thongchai Jaidee maps out plan for European Masters

Thongchai Jaidee

Crans Montana (Switzerland), Sep 7 (IANS) Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee is ready to launch an all-out final assault after he ground out a third round one-under-par 70 at the European Masters here Saturday.

The Thai star, who holds an unprecedented three Asian Tour Order of Merit titles, needs an aggressive game plan to narrow the gap at the top to stand any chance of lifting his second title on European soil this week.

“I’m going to attack the pins and try to get as close to the leaders tomorrow,” said Thongchai after he signed for a three-day total of six-under-par207.

Thongchai started off strongly with three birdies in his opening five holes to reach the turn in 33. However, he returned those shots on holes 10, 13 and 17 before a closing birdie on the closing 18th provided a much-needed relief.

“I played solid in my front-nine but struggled on a couple of holes in the back-nine. It’s quite tricky with the pin positions here,” said the 13-time Asian Tour winner.

“It’s important to continue sticking to my game plan to do well. You don’t have to use a driver here as a three or five-wood is sometimes enough, depending on the wind directions.”

Thongchai continued to spearhead the Thai charge at the 2.1 million euro showpiece event here as Pariya Junhasavasdikul (72), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (74) and Chapchai Nirat (70) all failed to make any gains on the leaderboard.

The European Masters is the only tournament on European soil to be jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour and marks the start of the second half of the Asian Tour season.